Phases of Moon Model Documents

Main Document

The EJS Phases of Moon model displays the appearance of Moon and how it changes depending on the position of Moon relative to Earth and Sun. The main window shows Earth (at the center) and Moon, as well as a circle tracing out Moon's orbit. Sun is far to the right in this picture and therefore the right side of Earth and Moon are bright while the left sides are dark. By using the Options Menu the Moon View window shows the appearance of Moon as seen from Earth when Moon is in the position shown in the main window. You can modify this simulation if you have Ejs installed by right-clicking within the plot and selecting "Open Ejs Model" from the pop-up menu item.

The EJS Phases of Moon model includes three supplemental documents (see below) that include a middle school lesson plan, a college level worksheet, and the student version of the program.

EJS Phases of Moon model was created using the Easy Java Simulations (Ejs) modeling tool. It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive. Double clicking the ejs_astronomy_MoonPhases.jar file will run the program if Java is installed. Ejs is a part of the Open Source Physics Project and is designed to make it easier to access, modify, and generate computer models. Additional Ejs models for astronomy are available. They can be found by searching ComPADRE for Open Source Physics, OSP, or Ejs.

Supplemental Documents (7)

A customizable Moon Phases Model that allows teachers to set the display parameters. The customized simulation is automatically saved with associated curricular in a new jar file that can be redistributed.

EJS Phases of Moon Model: Student Version is a simulation for college students. It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive and has the exploration pdf built-in. Double clicking the ejs_MoonPhasesStudent.jar file will run the program if Java is installed.

EJS Phases of Moon Model: Middle School Version is a simulation for middle school and high school students. It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive and has the exploration/lesson plan pdf built-in. Double clicking the ejs_MoonPhasesMiddleSchoolStudent.jar file will run the program if Java is installed.

This simulation helps provide context for the answers to the moon phase exploration assignments. The simulation adds a local time grid as well as showing the current view of the Moon an observer would see if it is above the observer's horizon.

Source Code for the Moon Phases Model for Teachers. The source code archive contains an XML representation of the EJS model. Unzip this archive in your EJS Workspace to compile and run this model using Ejs.